Sudan urges sanctions on UAE, Chad for Darfur arms violations

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
16 Jun 2024 22:35
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Sudan has called on the UN Security Council to extend existing Darfur-related sanctions to include the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Chad, accusing these nations of violating UN resolutions.

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People refill donkey-drawn water tanks during a water crisis in Port Sudan in the Red Sea State of war-torn Sudan on April 9, 2024 (AFP)

Sudan has urged the UN Security Council to extend the current Darfur-related sanctions to include the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Chad, accusing them of breaching UN resolutions, particularly the arms embargo established in 2005.

In a Security Council briefing on Thursday, Sudan's representative, Ambassador Ammar Mahmoud, called for accountability for nations supporting and arming "criminal militias," specifically referring to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been in conflict with the Sudanese army since April.

“The UAE’s support and arms supplies are directly contributing to the violence and suffering of civilians in Sudan,” stated Mahmoud.

He described the UAE as the "official and regional sponsor" of the RSF, stressing that their ongoing support extends the conflict and exacerbates atrocities.

Mahmoud contended that there is “no reason to maintain Darfur sanctions if they do not include countries actively violating relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly the UAE and Chad.”

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Referencing a recent report from the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale University, Mahmoud shared satellite images depicting an IL-76 cargo plane, purportedly associated with the UAE, flying over RSF-controlled regions in Darfur. He asserted that this evidence shows the UAE’s direct involvement in the conflict and its crimes against civilians.

Sudan's statement to the Security Council emphasized the changing dynamics in Darfur, arguing that Resolution 1591 and subsequent resolutions have unintentionally impeded security efforts and civilian protection. They contend that while the resolution restricts the Sudanese armed forces from transferring equipment to the region, it has not prevented other countries from supplying arms to the RSF.

The Sudanese government also warned that the conflict has created a perilous corridor for mercenaries and fighters from the Sahel region, raising alarms about cross-border terrorism. They called for the RSF to be designated as "cross-border terrorists" and stressed the importance of addressing these new conflict dimensions to achieve lasting peace in Sudan.

On the humanitarian front, the Sudanese government's statement highlighted its initiatives to establish several aid corridors across borders and frontlines to ensure the delivery of essential supplies.

“We strongly encourage the United Nations to purchase necessary supplies from the local market to reduce costs and indirectly support Sudanese farmers facing current challenges,” the statement said.

However, the government also expressed concerns about international humanitarian organizations' insufficient fulfillment of pledges.

“While Sudan is committed to facilitating humanitarian access internally, this effort must be met with a corresponding commitment from humanitarian actors to fulfill their pledges,” the statement emphasized. “The current level of assistance is far below what is needed to adequately address the crisis.”